Endometrial sample collector

Abstract

A non-invasive endometrial sample collector has an outer body of absorbent material configured for insertion into a vaginal cavity of a patient such that a distal end of the body is positioned proximate a uterine cervix of the patient. The collector has an internal collection assembly disposed within the outer body of absorbent material. The internal collection assembly includes a funnel having an opening at the distal end of the outer body configured to face the uterine cervix when the outer body is positioned in the vaginal cavity, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the funnel. During a menstruation cycle of the patient when endometrial tissue cells are shed within menstrual fluid that passes through the uterine cervix, or during any type of normal or abnormal bleeding episode, at least a portion of said fluid is directed to the reservoir via the funnel under the force of gravity.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS[0001]Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.[0002]This application claims priority to Ecuadorean Patent Application No. SP2013-12745 filed on Jun. 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and should be considered a part of this specification.BACKGROUND[0003]1. Field[0004]The present application is directed to a system for collecting an endometrial tissue sample, and more particularly to a non-invasive endometrial sample collector.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]There are several existing procedures for obtaining samples of endometrial tissue. One such procedure involves the sampling of the endometrium with a small plastic device that is introduced in the uterine cavity and through the uterine cervix in order to ob...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides an improved system and method for obtaining an endometrial tissue sample without the limitations of existing procedures. The endometrial sample collector is designed to be inserted into a patient's vaginal cavity, where it collects menstrual fluid or other body fluids that may contain endometrial tissue cells. A funnel directs the fluid to a reservoir in the collector, which can be sent to a laboratory for evaluation. The method is simple and effective, allowing for the safe and non-invasive collection of endometrial samples.

Problems solved by technology

Hysteroscopies are more expensive procedures (from the patient's and doctor's point of view) since they require expensive equipment and trained specialists.

All of the above described existing procedures for obtaining endometrial tissue samples have numerous disadvantages and potential risks to the patient, including: the risk of infection (e.g., due to the introduction of instruments into the vaginal cavity); the risk of perforating the endometrium and uterine wall (e.g., and possibly damage other organs, such as the intestines); severe bleeding (even in the absence of perforation of the endometrium); endometrial lesions by scarring, leading to infertility (i.e., Asherman's Syndrome); the risk of interrupting an existing but undiagnosed pregnancy; the risk of side effects from antibiotics or pain medication; the risks associated with anesthesia; pain and / or discomfort to the patient; interruption of sexual activity following the procedure; interruption of work and / or social activity for the patient following the procedure; and the risk of allergic reactions to drugs (e.g., antibiotics, analgesic, anesthesia, etc.), iodine (used for cleaning the uterine cervix and vagina during the procedure), latex (e.g., surgical gloves).

Other drawbacks of existing procedures include the amount of time the procedures take, the elevated cost of the procedures and the complications they cause in the patient's lives (e.g., anxiety, interruption of work, family interactions and sexual activity).

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